Electric



.2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

B. A. FISKE.

ELECTRIC. APPLIANCE FOR DISOHARGING GUNS.

Patented Jan. 15, 1889.

WITNESSES: W g

uvvmroe By I MAMA m ATTORNEY N. PETERS. vnmmuxhq n hnr. Waihingwm D c (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

B. A. FISKE.

ELECTRIC APPLIANCE FOR DISOHARGING GUNS. No. 396,199. Patented Jan. 15, 1889.

WITNESSES: M'l/E/VTOR 7 5mm, a, aux

2 A TTORNEY UNITED .STATES PATENT rricE.

BRADLEY A; FISKE, OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 396,199, dated January 15, 1889.

Application filed May 8, 1888- Serial No. 272,623. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, BRADLEY A. FISKE, of the United States Navy, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Electric Apparatus for Discharging Pneumatic Guns, &c., of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists in an apparatus for automatically causing the discharge of a gun when the latter reaches a certain predetermined elevation or angle above the horizontal plane, as more particularly hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figures 1 to 7, inclusive, are diagrams illustrative gen erally of my invention. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the general mode of application of my invention to a pneumatic gun for effecting the discharge thereof when a certain predetermined elevation of the gun is reached. Fig. 9 illustrates the bodily movement of such a gun due to the pitching of a vessel, whereby changes in elevation may be caused.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts.

My principle is as follows: To cause an electrical circuit automatically to be closed or opened when a body oscillating about a center in a vertical plane shall make with a horizontal plane a certain predetermined angle, and to effect this closing or opening of the circuit by the action of gravity upon a body free to move in response thereto. This principle is susceptible of being carried into effeet by many forms of apparatus, all, however, essentially similar.

Referring, first, to Figs. 1 and 2, assume that A represents a body freely turning upon the center 13. Let C be a weight suspended from A, and D a rigid arm extending downwardly from. A to a point, say, (for illustration,) thirty degrees distant in are from the weight C. If the body A be turned on its center B in a vertical plane to the position shown in Fig. 2, so that said body makes with the horizontal plane indicated by the line E F an angle of thirty degrees, then obviously the arm D will meet and make Contact with the weight 0; and if the arm D and weight 0 were circuit-terminals, then if said body A were placed as shown in Fig. 2 the circuit would be closed, and if the said body A were placed at any less angle to the horizontal plane E F, or in said plane, as in Fig. 1, then the circuit would be open.

In Figs. 3, 4., and 5, A, as before, represents a body which is free to oscillate about the center B in a vertical plane. G is a spiritlevel of any ordinary construction, hinged to the body A at H. The other end of the level is movable over the fixed standard I, and may be fastened in any convenient Way at any point 011 said standard. Now, plainly, when the body A is horizontal and the level G is parallel thereto, as shown in Fig. 3, then the air-bubble inclosed in the tube of said level will stand midway the length of the tube. If the body A is horizontal and the tube of level G is inclined at any angle thereto and so fiXed as, for example, as in Fig. 4, at an angle of thirty degreesthen the air-bubble in the tube will apparently rise to the upper part of said tube. If the body A is, however, turned at an angle to the horizontal plane equal to the angle included between said body and the tube, as shown in Fig. 5, then the tube of level G will again be horizontal, and the bubble will stand midway, as in Fig. 1.

Suppose, next, that two wires or pins, J K, be inserted through the glass of the level-tube Jr, one of said pins penetrating the tube at its middle point. Let said pins J' K be connected in circuit by wires L M with a battery and (forexample) an electro-magnet, N, the said magnet having a pivoted armature, 0, normally retracted by the spring P. \Vhen the level G is in an inclined position, as shown'in Fig. 6, both pins J K are immersed in the liquid, which, being assumed conducting, closes circuit between the pins, and the magnet N is so energized and caused to attract its armature. "11 en, however, the level G stands truly horizontal, as in Fig. '7, then while one wire, J, enters the liquid, the other, K, does not enter the liquid, but simply the air space or bubble therein. Consequently circuit isbroken between the points J K and the magnet N releases its armature, which is retracted by its spring P.

It will be apparent that with the device above described one pin, J, remains in the conducting-liquid, while the other pin, K, is in or out of the liquid, in accordance with the angle of the tube, so that the liquid becomes,

. in fact, one circuit-terminal controlled by gravity and the pin' K the other terminal.

My aforesaid invention is applicable to many practical uses, and especially to the automatic discharge of guns aboard vessels of war. WVhile there is comparatively little difficulty in training a gun laterally with accuracy upon an object, or, in other words, while a gun maybe aligned with comparative case, it is a very difficult matter to insure the discharge of the gun at just the proper elevation to cause its projectile neither to pass over nor to fall short of the target; This difficulty will be readily appreciated when the rolling and pitching of a vessel in a seaway are remembered. In heavy weather the muzzle of a gun may at one moment point at an angle far above the horizon and at the next moment at an angle far below it. The gunner therefore stands with his eyes ran gin g along the sights, watch ing for the instant when the sights align with the object, and then at the proper instant fires. A very slight error in judgment as to the right moment, or a very small delay in discharging the piece, easily results in the projectile being thrown far over or bein caused to strike the water far short of the object.

By means of my invention the discharge of the gun can be caused when it reaches any predetermined elevation or angle above the horizontal plane instantaneously, certainly, and automatically.

Fig. 8is a diagram illustrating the application of my invention to a pneumatic gun, such as is used for the projection of shells containing high explosives by the expansion of compressed air. This' figure is an electrical diagram. No device therein shown is drawn to scale, nor are the relative proportions of the parts of the apparatus considered. It does, however, correctly illustrate the invention, and any electrical workman or other person skilled in the art will find no difficulty in supplying from his knowledge of the art whatever details may be necessary to enable him to construct and successfully operate the said invention from the said drawing and the present specification.

Q represents a portion of the tube or barrel of a pneumatic gun. Communicating with said tube is a conduit, R, whereby the air-blast is conducted into said barrel Q in order to throw out the projectile. The admission of air to the barrel Q may be regulated by any form of valvesuch, for example, as one that turns in its seat similar to a gas-cock or water-faucet. S is alever connected to the spindle of such a valve, by means of which lever said valve may be controlled-as, for example, to admit air to the barrel atwill. The lever S normally occupies the position indicated by the dotted lines, and is so maintained by the weight T on one arm. hen the lever S is in this position, the air-valve is supposed to be closed. Upon the gun is mounted a level, G, in substantially the same manner as already explained in connection with Figs. 3 to (3, like parts being correspondingly lettered. The circuit-wires L M, as in Figs. 6 and 7, are in circuit with an electromagnet, N, which has a hinged or pivoted armature, 0, provided with a retracting-spring, P.

Placed in proximity to the armature O of the magnet N is a contact-point, V. When the armature O is released by magnet N, it is drawn by its retracting-spring P into contact with said point V, and then circuit is closed through the electro-magnet \V and battery Y. IV hen the magnet \V is energized, it attracts its armature Z, which is suspended on the arm of lever S opposite to that which carries the weight T. \Vhen the lever S is thus moved,

it moves the valve within the gun sulii-' pitches, as indicated by the arrows 1 2, so rapidly changing the elevation of the gun. The distance of the target having been estimated or determined in any way, the movable end of the level G is adjusted upon the standard I at such a point that the angle included between the level and the longitudinal axis of the barrel will equal the desired angle of elevation of the gun necessary to give the required range. At such time both pins J K will be immersed in the conducting-liquid in the tube of the level, and the circuit will be completed through the magnet N, which will attract its armature. At the instant, however, the gun reaches the elevation for which the level G has been adjusted, then the air-bubble in the said level will stand in the middle of the tube of the level, and circuit, as explained, will be broken between the points J and K. Thereupon the magnet N will release its armature, and if the key U be closed the magnet \V will move the lever S to open the airvalve and thus discharge the gun. The gunner controls the key U. Normally this key is left open, as otherwise some accidental movement of the gun might perhaps cause the armature of magnet N to be released, and a premature discharge so be caused; but when the gun is ready the gunner closes the key, and so holds it until the apparatus (always at exactly the proper instant) accomplishes its work.

The advantage of this apparatus in eliminating errors due to miscalculation or delay on the part of the gunner and in insuring great accuracy of aim will be apparent.

It is to be understood that I do not intend herein to limit myself in any wise to the particular electrical connections here shown, inasmuch as these may be varied in many ways.

I claim- 1. The combination. of a gun, an electrode IIO supported so as to be free to move under the action of gravity, an electrode partaking of the motion of elevation and depression of said gun and arranged in the path of said first electrode, an electrical firing apparatus for said gun, a source of electricity, and a circuit including said firing apparatus, source of elec tricity, and electrodes, the said second electrode being adjustable nearer to or farther from said first electrode, substantially as described.

2. The combination of a gun, an electrode free to move under the action of gravity and controlled by the elevation or depression of said gun, a second electrode rigidly connected to said gun and partaking of the motion thereof, an electrical firing apparatus for said gun, a source of electricity, and a circuit including said firing apparatus, source of electricity, and electrodes, the said second electrode being disposed in the path of motion of said first electrode and adjustable nearer to or farther from said first electrode, substantially as described.

3. The combination, with apneumatic gun, a source of air-supply, and a valve interposed between said source and said gun, of an electro-magnet having its armature mechanically connected to said valve, an electrode free to move under the action of gravity and controlled by the elevation or depression of said gun, a second electrode in the path of motion of said first electrode rigidly connected to said gun and partaking of the motion thereof, a source of electricity, and a circuit including said electro-magnet, source of electricity, and electrodes, said elements being combined and operating so that when the gun reaches a certain predetermined elevation the movable electrode shall make contact with the fixed electrode, and the electroanagnet being energized shall through its armature open said valve, substantially as described.

l. The barrel or air-tube of a pneumatic gun movable about a center in a vertical plane, a valve regulating the air-supply to said tube and an electroinagnet having an armature controllingsaid valve, in combination with a level containing a conducting-liquid disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube, movable about a center in the same vertical plane as and partaking of the motion of said tube, circuit-terminals entering said level, a source of electricity, and circuit-connections including said terminals and said elect-romagnet, the aforesaid parts being constructed and disposed so that said electro-magnet shall be energized or de-energized by the making or breaking of circuit at said terminals by said liquid under the action of gravity, substantially as described 5. The barrel or air-tube of a pneumatic gun movable about a center in a vertical plane, a valve regulating the air-suppl y to said tube, and a motor operating said valve, in combination with a vessel containing a conductingliquid and movable about a center in the same vertical plane as and partaking of the motion of said tube, circuit-terminals entering said vessel, a source of electricity, and circuit-connections,the aforesaid parts being constructed and disposed so that the said motor shall be governed by the making or breaking of circuit at said terminals by said liquid under the action of gravity, substantially as described.

6. The combination of the barrel Q of a pneumatic gun, a valve regulating the air-supply therefor, a lever, S, controlling said valve to open or close the same, a level, G, containing a comlucting-liquid support-ed by said barrel and adjustable in a vertical planeat an angle to the longitudinal axis of the bore, circuitterminals J K, entering said level, battery Y and magnet N in circuit with said terminals, and a motor controlled by the armature of magnet N, for moving said lever S to open said air-valve, substantially as described.

7. The combination of the barrel Q of a pn eumatic gun, a valve regulating the air-supply therefor, a counterweighted lever, S, controlling said valve, a level, G, containing a conducting-liquid and pivoted on said gun and adjustable in a vertical plane at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the bore, circuit-terminals J K, entering said level, battery Y, magnet N, armature O, and in circuitwith said armature the battery '1', contact-stop V, magnet \V, and armature Z of said magnet \V, the said armature communicating with the lever S, substantially as described.

8. The combination of the barrel Q of a pneumatic gun, a valve regulating the air-supply therefor, a counterweighted lever, S, controlling said valve, a level, G, containing a conducting-liquid and pivoted on said gun and adjustable in a vertical plane at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the bore, circuit-terminals J K, entering said level, battery Y, magnet N, armature 0, and in circuit with said armature the battery Y, contact-stop V, magnet YV, armature Z, communicating with lever S, and circu itelosing key U, arranged between said electro-magnet and battery Y, substantially as described.

BRADLEY A. FISKE.

\Vituessesz' GEORGE F. Wnvsnow, S. NJIIALHOUN.

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